What's the best monitor on the market currently?

[sasha proctor]

I've been using my cinetronic gen 2 since they came out. Nothing but issues with it and I'm completely fed up. Time to pitch it in the bin and get a new one. I'd love to hear suggestions from others on monitors they are having success with. I'm leaning toward transvideo.

 

Cheers,

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

Best package of features and quality in my opinion Transvideo x-sbl 6 or 8 inch. I own one for 2 years, 0 issues.

[Mike McGowan SOC]

Small HD DP7 Highbright. Viewable in the most harsh conditions, super durable, no issues for many years, I own 2.

[Chris Van Campen]

I've got the smallHD DP7 HB as well, like it a lot. But a lot of ops are raving about the newest 7" Boland high bright... might be worth a look.

 

And I think they discontinued the DP7 anyway.

[sasha proctor]

Thanks for the suggestions. My main concern is a good digital level. My back up monitor is a DP7 and I'm not a fan of the level. It kind of wigs out on me and doesn't handle any kind of g force very well.

[Scott Monk]

I'm with Jens on the Transvideo 8". Had this one for over a year it's perfect. Also, support from Transvideo has been top-notch; that's VERY important.

[axel ebermann]

For built-in level I think Transvideo is pretty much the only choice right now (aka a level that does something for you.

the 'level' on the DP7 is a cruel joke...)

For outside visibility try the Boland. It has a matte screen surface vs. the shiny glass that everybody

else is using. I like that because it reduces glare a lot.

[Mark Karavite]

Sasha, if you're looking for a fantastic level, take a look at XCS HD PDL. It's expensive, but as with every XCS product, it's top notch.

[chris fawcett]

I've used Transvideo for 9 years. Given the level of reliability and ruggedness, I wouldn't consider any other monitor. The image is fantastic too. Look at the blacks—they're black. You don't see that too often in super-bright monitors.

 

Chris

[Daniel Loher]

I have been using the Transvideo HD6 SBL for a few years now and besides that it is indestructable and has many great features, the glossy screen is a nightmare outside. On a sunny/cloudy day all I see is the sky above me. I helped myself by sticking one of those antigloss screens for ipads on the glass which helped a fair bit with reflections but made the picture very "unsharp". I dealt with that for the last two years but for some stupid reason decided to take it off hoping to be positively surprised. Once again it was a battle to see anything besides the sky and clouds. For my next shoot I'll wake my ananolg GPI green montior from hibernation. This thing just rocks outside :-)

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

The new Hd8 x-sbl has a much better anti glare coating and is twice as bright...

[Colin Evans]

I am pretty new to this forum, Im using an M2 rig and wanted more recent opinions for a monitor. Right now I am using a 9" TV logic and its not nearly bright enough for the outside and doesn't have a level on it. I am looking at Transvideo but I see there were reflection issues. Is a small HD better, am I overlooking something. Is Transvideo worth the money? 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[GrantCulwell]

On 3/9/2022 at 10:08 AM, Colin Evans said:

I am pretty new to this forum, Im using an M2 rig and wanted more recent opinions for a monitor. Right now I am using a 9" TV logic and its not nearly bright enough for the outside and doesn't have a level on it. I am looking at Transvideo but I see there were reflection issues. Is a small HD better, am I overlooking something. Is Transvideo worth the money? 

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hey Colin, welcome to the forum. I don't believe you'll find a monitor that is truly reflection free. Photodon sells screen protectors that offer some anti reflective protection.

I have the HD8 X-SBL and it is a great monitor. My only complaint is that it is one of the heavier monitors out there. SmartSystem has a monitor they say has a brightness of 3000nits (transvideo is 2500nits) but I have no experience with SmartSystem.

Considering there are companies like Cinelevels or XCS providing external level monitoring options, I'd suggest pick a monitor that best fits your personal needs and not worry if the monitor itself has a level within it. Look at things like weight, brightness, features, robustness, and customer service.

Hope that helps.